IntroductionWe’re very proud of the work NHS staff do every day in Derbyshire. They do a fantastic job of caring for people across the area. Most of the time, the people they care for are very happy with the support they receive.

But we also know that sometimes what our staff can give isn’t what people feel they need. That’s why we’re doing a lot of work around trying to personalise care for people. Personal Health Budgets (PHBs) are one way we can do that.

Personalising care really just means working with you to identify what things you want to achieve and doing our best to tailor the support we give you in order to help you do that.

Personal Health BudgetsPHBs take this a step further. In essence, they look at the money the NHS is spending on you or the one you care for, and then ask the question, “Could we spend this money in better way?”

Since October 2014, anyone eligible for continuing healthcare has been able to have a Personal health budget. Here in Derbyshire we also want people with other diagnosed long-term conditions (non-CHC) to be able to talk to their local NHS team about what is important to them, and to agree ways to support their identified health and wellbeing needs. The aim is to give people greater choice and control over the healthcare and support they receive.

PHBs can pay for a wide range of items and services, including therapies, personal care and equipment, allowing more choice and control over the health services and care an individual receives, and the way he or she receives it. Really, you can be as imaginative as you like, as long as it meets your health and wellbeing needs and have been agreed with your NHS team.

Who can have a personal health budget in Derbyshire?

Anyone (adult or child) who is eligible for Continuing Healthcare (CHC) – please speak to your healthcare professional or social worker who will be able to undertake the initial assessment. This will then be sent to the continuing healthcare team who will work with you to develop your personalised care plan; which may include a personal health budget.

Non-CHC Personal Health Budgetsare also available in Derbyshire to anyone (adult or child) who:

a)Has one or more diagnosed long term condition(s)

b)Who may be approaching the end of their life

c)Is registered with a Derbyshire CCG GP

d)Is in receipt of traditional healthcare services in relation to their condition

e)Is able to evidence engagement with NHS healthcare

f)Has stated health outcomes that are considered achievable and will not cause any harm

g)Has a health care professional to endorse their application

Some key points about PHBs

NHS values still hold – no one will pay their own money to get the services they need or be denied essential treatment as a result of having a personal health budget

Having a personal health budget does not entitle someone to more services, more expensive services, or preferential access to NHS services

Services should be safe and effective. Using them should be a positive experience

PHBs should help people get a service that best suits them

The individual should have as much control over decisions as appropriate.

No one will have to get their services through a PHB if they do not want to

A PHB cannot be used for

Things that are already commissioned under NHS services

Private procedures (e.g. hip replacement)

Social care services where these have been reduced or stopped

Debt repayment

Alcohol or Cigarettes

Gambling

Day to day living costs

Anything that is illegal

For more information about personal health budgets please contact the Personal Health Budgets Team on 01332 868756 or e-mail to tina.brown6@nhs.net